A patient shows a nurse this advertisement: Our product is a ...

[NClaborn]

A patient shows a nurse this advertisement: Our product is a scientific breakthrough helpful for depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Made from an ancient formula, it stimulates circulation and excretes toxins.
 
  Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Select the nurse's best response.
 
  a. Over-the-counter products for sleep problems are ineffective.
  b. Do not take anything unless it's prescribed by your doctor.
  c. Let's do some additional investigation of that product.
  d. It sounds like you are trying to self-medicate.

Question 2

A patient wants to learn more about integrative therapies. Which resource should the nurse suggest for the most reliable information?
 
  a. Internet
  b. American Nurses Association (ANA)
  c. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  d. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

[Jadwiga9]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Helping consumers actively evaluate the quality of information available to them is important. It is important for the nurse to work with the patient and include the patient's preferences regarding management of health. Advertisements indicating scientific breakthroughs or promising miracles for multiple ailments are usually for products that are useless and being fraudulently marketed. Some may even be harmful. Some over-the-counter products can be useful, and patients do not need a prescription for these products. The broader issue is safety and efficacy, rather than whether the patient is trying to self-medicate.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has a clearinghouse from which individuals may request information. The FDA has information, but it is not as extensive as NCCAM. The Internet has many resources but some are unreliable. The ANA does not provide extensive information about this topic.